Grow with Aldi supports Irish suppliers during the Covid-19 pandemic
Situated in Ballyvourney, Co. Cork, De Róiste Foods will supply its award-winning black and white pudding to 142 Aldi stores
Print20 April 2020
The Grow with Aldi programme has enabled a Cork-based company, De Róiste Foods, to supply its award-winning black and white pudding to 142 Aldi stores nationwide
Founded by Jimmy Allen and his sons Declan and Cathal, De Róiste Foods produce Irish black and white pudding using traditional methods. To date, the range has garnered both Blás na hÉireann and Great Taste Awards.
The Grow with Aldi supplier development programme gives up-and-coming artisan Irish food and drink producers the chance to have their products listed in Aldi’s 142 stores.
Following a successful Grow with Aldi specialbuys launch in 2019, De Róiste Foods was awarded a 12-month contract with the discounter. The company has since increased production and is set to expand its business offerings.
Its plans to launch a brand-new product line of ‘Ballyvourney Sausages’ which will be available in two flavours, Tomato & Herb and Herb & Garlic. Created for the summer BBQ season, the range will launch in Aldi stores nationwide on 31 May as part of the Grow with Aldi 2020 programme.
The contract has given De Róiste Foods a lifeline amid the uncertainty of Covid-19 pandemic. In recent weeks, the team has experienced a significant loss in sales and orders due to the closure of hotels and cafés.
However, the push on the retail sector and Aldi to keep shelves stocked has allowed the team to weather the storm. Sales for the Ballyvourney supplier were up almost 40% in March, when compared with January and February.
“Many aspects of our business, such as supplying to cafés and hotels literally disappeared overnight, but we have seen a surge in our business with Aldi through the Grow with Aldi initiative,” said Co- Founder of De Róiste Foods, Cathal Allen.
“The reduced payment terms that Aldi activated during this Covid-19 crisis has played a critical and crucial part in allowing us to keep all our nine employees in a job. The Grow with Aldi initiative has allowed us the opportunity to pick up the phone anytime, I know the team on a first name basis and it just helps to build great business relationship.”
John Curtin, group buying director, Aldi Ireland said: “Over the last few months our suppliers have experienced unprecedented circumstances. Their teams have worked around the clock to provide the products to keep our shelves stocked for customers, and we want to do everything we can to support them. We have already implemented shorter payment terms for over 200 Aldi suppliers who will have their invoices processed and payment within five working days.”
Aldi is committed to growing its Irish supply base and increasing the number of Irish products available in its stores. Aldi has invested more than €1.5 million its Grow with Aldi programme since 2018.
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